Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed pleasant surprise at India’s choice to include Sanju Samson in the playing XI for their Asia Cup 2025 clash against UAE on Wednesday, September 10. He praised coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, noting that the current team management appears to have strong confidence in the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman’s abilities.
Samson’s place in the XI had been uncertain after Shubman Gill was recalled to the T20I squad for the tournament. Many analysts felt that both Samson and Gill could not feature together. Even during practice sessions ahead of the UAE game, Samson’s participation was limited. Nevertheless, India went ahead and picked both players for their opening Asia Cup match.
On Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed both surprise and delight at India’s decision to play Sanju Samson alongside Shubman Gill, stating:
“I am surprised, but happy and pleasantly surprised with the backing that Sanju is getting. The kind of care the coach and captain are taking of him, it’s amazing. Suryakumar said at the press conference that ‘we are looking after him’ and that is visible. If Sanju has to play, he has to be a powerplay enforcer. If a wicket falls in the powerplay, then Sanju goes in.”
Ashwin praised Suryakumar-Gambhir, saying the current setup is making extra efforts to accommodate Samson, unlike previous regimes. He added:
“This is project Sanju Samson. When I interviewed him, he revealed that Gautam Gambhir told him that even if he makes 21 ducks, he will be picked for the 22nd game. That is the confidence that the coach and Suryakumar have given him. It is clear that the team management believes in what Sanju Samson brings to the table. They are willing to do this sort of a thing to make a place for him. Amazing.”
Sanju Samson’s Place Doubtful After Poor Series Against England
Besides Gill’s return to the T20I squad, Samson’s struggles in the home series against England earlier this year also raised questions about his place. The 30-year-old managed scores of 26, 5, 3, 1, and 16 across the five matches.
Overall, the Kerala batter has played 43 T20Is, scoring 861 runs at an average of 25.32 with a strike rate of 152.38, including three centuries and two fifties.
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